Surprise

"To whom much is given shall much be required"

Luke 12: 48

~~~

Surprise

It
was a time of busyness for my friend who was preparing for the marriage
of her daughter and we spoke together about all the plans. I listened
with great interest to her as she told me over the phone about gowns,
flowers, bridesmaids, hair styles and hymns etc. When she finished I
asked her what she had in mind when the couple were signing the
register. There was a long and uncomfortable pause ... then she
hesitantly asked me “I was wondering if you would like to sing. It would be such a lovely surprise for everyone ... would you?”

It
all came back to me like a flood – the promise I had made to God years
before, and all that my little book contained. I had to make a decision
there and then. “Yes” was my very nervous reply! I explained to her what
had happened to me years ago and the promise I made God and it was
arranged that nobody would know what I was going to do. My contribution
would not be announced in the order of service just in case I wouldn't
be able to go ahead with it.

Needless
to say there was very much prayer and nail biting done in the weeks
prior to the event. When the day finally arrived and everyone was
gathered, some who might have observed that I was seated near the front
might have wondered why I was there. After a beautiful ceremony the
happy couple and entourage filed into a little room at the front of the
church and the door closed slowly behind them - the moment had arrived.
There was a moment of silence and then yours truly stood up and walked
to the front and stood before of a congregation of very confused
looking people. It was actually a rather funny thing to behold from my
perspective. I beckoned to the organist to start up the introduction
began singing the two hymns that had been requested. I will be eternally
thankful to the Lord that all went well :-)

When
finished I returned to my seat, and waited with everyone for the bride
and groom to appear. The organist sounded up rousing introduction as the
newly wedded couple appeared. Everyone followed the happy couple out of
the church to where a taxi was waiting to whisk them off to the
reception, and we all found our own way there later on. It was a lovely
day and everyone was so kind and encouraging to me concerning my
contribution.

I
suppose I should have been ever so happy about having done this at last
but for some reason that I can't explain I felt so low! Later that
evening when I was all alone I knelt in prayer with a very heavy heart
and thanked my Father in heaven for all His help and asked Him: “O Lord,
is this it? Has all that turmoil and all that waiting been only for
this day or is there something else you want me to do? Lord, help me to
wait, and to rest, and to be content”.